Berhampur University celebrates 47th Foundation Day

Berhampur University celebrated its 47th Foundation Day on Wednesday. The function was held at the Biju Patnaik Auditorium on the university campus. State Minister for Higher Education Badri Narayan Patra attended the function as chief guest. Berhampur MP Siddhant Mohapatra, Berhampur MLA R.C.C. Patnaik, Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy, and Khallikote MLA Purna Chandra Sethy were present. University Vice-Chancellor Jayanta Kumar Mohapatra presided over the function.

The Higher education minister advocated for the promotion of quality education and a competitive spirit while addressing the foundation day celebrations of the University. Mr. Patra said development of human resources in the State was closely associated with development all other resources in the area. The Berhampur MLA said the university deserved to be developed into a centre of excellence. He promised to take up the issue with the government and urged people of all sections to support him in his efforts. The Gopalpur MLA asked the State government to develop the university and the city as an education hub.

Vice chancellor of Berhampur University J K Mohapatra appealed to the minister to call a conference all vice chancellors in the state to review the problems faced by universities. "I hope that will be a best forum to resolve problems of all universities," Mohapatra said. “This practice exists in other states and we must follow it too for a healthy atmosphere in our universities,” he said.

The varsity felicitated former station director of All India Radio (AIR) Madhusudan Panigrahi and Dr Chandramani Swain, a doctor, for their contribution to the society. The minister also inaugurated the state-of-art laboratory, where the students will be taught on personality development to become job-ready. The laboratory has been developed with Rs 10 lakh assistance from the UGC while Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagapur, has provided the technical know-how for the functioning of the laboratory. In-charge of the laboratory Sadananda Nayak said the students will not have to pay any extra amount to undergo training at the laboratory.

The university was established in 1967. As many as 139 colleges in Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Koraput, Rayagada, Nawarangapur and Malkangiri are affiliated to this institution. Six other colleges under its jurisdiction that have been accorded autonomy are Khallikote College in Berhampur, Vikram Dev College in Jeypore, SKCG College in Paralakhemundi, Sashi Bhusan Rath Governemnt Women’s College in Berhampur, Government College in Phulbani and Rayagada College. Sources: The Hindu, Times of India & The Telegraph